Manila, July 29 -- The reported death toll from the combined effects of heavy southwest monsoon (habagat) rains and a succession of tropical cyclones has gone up to 34 as of Tuesday morning's tally of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

So far, only two have been confirmed - one in Northern Mindanao and another in the Caraga Region - while the rest are still being validated, the NDRRMC said in its latest situation report.

Of the 32 reported fatalities still undergoing verification, nine are from the National Capital Region, eight from Calabarzon, six from Western Visayas, three from the Negros Island Region, two each from Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao, and one each from Mimaropa and Davao Region....